Banking ball game



1 s. B. ESCUADRA 2,292,219

BANKING BALL GAME Filed Aug. 19, 1941 IIIIIIII \ITI W I N VE N TO R Se' e flfscuadra,

ATTO R N EY Patented Aug. 4, 1942 UNHTED STATES PATENT OFFEE BANKING BALL GAME Serge B. Escuadra, New York, N. Y. Application August 19, 1941, Serial No. 407,397

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a banking ball game.

More particularly, the invention proposes a game which includes a playing field having several bank storage receptacles for receiving and holding a large number of playing objects, preferably balls, and a plurality of smaller receptacles arranged in two groups symmetrically of the bank storage receptacles for holding a smaller number of said playing objects during the playing of the game.

The invention contemplates the setting up of rules, or a method for playing the game, which may be varied through quite a substantial degree, if desired.

The invention proposes that the playing field be in the nature of a playing board which may be placed on a table so that the game may be played with the player seated. Another version of the game would be to construct the playing field quite large, preferably on a lawn r other playing area. With this arrangement the game is not only amusing but also constitutes a good exercise.

In so far as the method of playing the game is concerned it is proposed that the playing objects be equally divided between the small receptacles. It is proposed that the players move the playing objects progressively between the receptacles in accordance with certain rules designed to accumulate the playing objects eventually in the bank storage receptacles. The player having the largest score at the end of the game, or the player reaching a certain score during the contest, is adjudged the winner.

The invention is susceptible to various modifications, one of which is disclosed in this specification. In accordance with this modified form it is contemplated to construct the playing field of sections arranged to be moved relative to each other and held in position to adapt the playing field for the use of a larger or smaller number of playing objects or balls.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing formin a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a bank ball game constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2' is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

. drawing.

arettes, cigars and pipes.

. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-4. of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a bank ball game constructed in accordance with a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The banking ball game, in accordance with this invention, includes a playing field Ii having several bank storage receptacles H, preferably two in number, which are adapted to hold a large number of playing objects, not illustrated on the These playing objects preferably are small balls. The playing field it is also provided with a plurality of small receptacles l2, preferably arranged in two groups sym"-.etrically of the bank storage receptacles l I.

As illustrated on the drawing these receptacles l2 are arranged in two lines extending between the bank receptacles Ii. Preferably, ten of the receptacles 12 are provided, live in each line. These small receptacles ii are capable of holding a smaller number of playing objects or balls during the playing of the game, which will become clear as this specification proceeds.

The playing field iii may be provided with bins M for the storage of the playing objects or balls when the game is not being used. In the particular form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3 the playing field ii) is illustrated in the nature of a playing board capable of being rested on a table I8. When thus arranged it may be provided with ash tray portions l 5 for receiving ashes from cig- Each ash tray [5 is also illustrated with a radial recess l5 adapted to receive and hold a burning cigarette. The playing field H] is illustrated formed from sheet metal, or other sheet material which is supported on a skirt wall ll rested on said table I8 or other object of support.

The banking ball game may be played in conjunction with modified forms of playing fields. One such form is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The playing field it comprises a top section 20 having several large downwardly extending tubes 2| and a plurality of small downwardly extending tubes 22 arranged in two groups symmetrically ofsaid large tubes 2i. A bottom section 23 is associated with the top section 26 and has a plurality of receptacles 24 and 25 extending upwards and fitting said tubes 2! and 22, respectively. Each of the receptacles 24 and 25 are of tubular form having concaved top portions 24 and 25 respectively. Means is provided for moving and holding the sections 20 and 23 in relative vertical positions.

The means mentioned at the close of the previous paragraph includes a pair of vertical racks 26 mounted upon the bottom section 23 at opposite ends thereof and extending into the top section. Each rack 26 has a flange 21 at its outer side. There is a stem 28 for each rack 26 rotatively supported on the top section 20 and extending through slots 23 in the side walls of the bottom section 23. Each stem 28 has a knob 29 by which it may be turned. The inner end of each stem 28 is provided with a square portion 28 engaging a square socket formed in a boss 30 mounted on the sides of the tube 2! which is on the top section 2%. Each stem 23 is provided with a gear 3! which meshes with the adjacent rack 26. A spring 32 is mounted on each stem 28 and acts between one of the walls of the section 20 and the gear 3! for urging the stem 28 inwards so that the square portion 2% engages its socket, holding the parts non-rotative.

The knobs 29 may be manually pulled outwards until the gears to strike the flanges 21. This frees the square portions 28 of the stems so that they are rotative. The knobs 29 may then be turned to cause the gears 3| to move the racks 25 and so extend or retract the sections 20 and 23, relative to each other. With this arrange ment it is possible to increase the capacities of the receptacles formed by the concave top walls 23 and 25 of the tubes of the lower section 23 and the tubes 21 of the upper section 26.

The field I is also illustrated provided with bins i l for the storage of playing objects. The field ill also has the ash trays I and the cigarette holding grooves It.

The method of playing the banking ball game may be varied in accordance with predetermined rules. However, the general principle of all of the variations may be the same.

One set of rules will now be given for playing the game. Each player is assigned his bank receptacle and one line of the smaller receptacles. Each player receives an initial supply of 25 playing objects or balls and distributes these objects equally in the smaller receptacles. If each player has five smaller receptacles he places five of the playing objects in each receptacle. The players choose as to who goes first. The first player picks up the five balls contained in any one of his small receptacles and distributes one ball of each of these five balls progressively in the receptacles extending to his bank receptacle. If there are any balls still remaining he continues distributing one ball each in the smaller receptacles of his co-player which continue from the bank receptacle.

The other player then goes by picking up the balls in the smaller receptacle immediately adjacent the last ball played by the first player. This player then distributes one ball each progressively in the receptacles, travelling towards his bank. Should a player be forced across the bank of his opponent he skips without depositing a ball in it. A player ending the distribution of a number of balls at an empty receptacle may jump across to his opponents side and continue distribution of any balls he finds in the opposed receptacle. The game is continued until all of the balls are distributed in the bank receptacles. Each ball counts for one point, and if one player accumulates 100 points, he wins.

Of course, the rules may be varied, for example,

penalties and rewards may be worked out for certain conditions of play. The counting of the score may also be varied.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a bank ball game, a playing field comprising a top section having several large downwardly extending tubes and a plurality of smaller downwardly extending tubes arranged in two groups symmetrically of said large tubes, a bottom section having a plurality of receptacles slidably engaging upwards into and fitting said tubes, and means for moving and holding said sections in relative vertical positions.

2. In a bank ball game, a playing field comprising a top section having several large downwardly extending tubes and a plurality of smaller downwardly extending tubes arranged in two groups symmetrically of said large tubes, a bottom section having a plurality of receptacles slidably engaging upwards into and fitting said tubes, and means for moving and. holding said sections in relative vertical positions, con1prising a pair of stems rotatively mounted on one of said sections, gears on said stems meshing with racks mounted on the other of the said sections, and means for releasably holding said stems against rotation.

3. In a bank ball game, a playing field having a top section formed with a plurality of downwardly extending tubes and a bottom section formed with a plurality of receptacles slidably engaging upwards and fitting into said tubes, a stem rotatively mounted on one of said sections, a gear mounted on said stem, a rack mounted on the other of said sections and meshing with said gear, and a knob mounted on one end of said stem for facilitating the rotation of said gear to move said rack relative to said stem and spread said sections to increase the capacity of said receptacles,

4. In a bank ball game, a playing field having a top section formed with a plurality of downwardly extending tubes and a bottom section formed with a plurality of receptacles slidably engaging upwards and fitting into said tubes, a stem rotatively mounted on one of said sections, a gear mounted on said stem, a rack mounted on the other of said sections and meshing with said gear, and a knob mounted on one end of said stem for facilitating the rotation of said gear to move said rack relative to said stem and spread said sections to increase the capacity of said receptacles, said stembeing also slidably mounted, and means for holding said stem in variou turned positions to hold said sections in various extended positions, comprising a square end formed on said shaft and engageable with a complementary square socket opening formed on said section carrying said stem, and resilient means urging said stem to engage said square end and square socket, whereby said stem must be pulled manually outwards to disengage said square end from said square socket to permit said stem to be rotated.

5. In a bank ball game, a playing field having a top section formed with a plurality of down- 'wardly extending tubes and a bottom section formed with a plurality of receptacles sliclably engaging upwards and fitting into said tubes, a stem rotatively mounted on one of said sections, a gear mounted on said stem, a rack mounted on the other of said sections and meshing with said gear, and a knob mounted on one end of said stem for facilitating the rotation of said gear to move said rack relative to said stem and spread said sections to increase the capacity of said receptacles, said stem being also slidably mounted, and means for holding said stem in various turned positions to hold said sections in various extended positions, comprising a square end formed on said shaft and engageable with a complementary square socket opening formed on said section carrying said stem, and resilient mean urging said stem to engage said square end and square socket, whereby said stem must be pulled manually outwards to disengage said square end from said square socket to permit said stem to be rotated, said resilient means, comprising an expansion spring coaxially mounted on said stem and operating between the adjacent faces of said gear and a stationary portion of said section carrying said stem.

' SERGE B. ESCUADRA. 

